Sunday, November 25, 2012

california dreamin'

Friday's photograph made me wonder if there was ever a period in my life where my hair did not look like a cross between Albert Einstein and John Hinckley.

Of course, there was. At least, during the five years I was on active duty with the Air Force. An organization that took (and takes) its grooming standards very seriously.

That is me on the far right. Doing my impression of a California boy. Because I was. At Castle Air Force base --to be exact.

Four of us (the fourth is behind the camera) had just spent a Memorial Day weekend camping and water skiing at a local lake. Within a month, I would have orders to report as "a technical assistant to the Hellenic Air Force."

But I still remember that weekend. Having the freedom of my early 20s with good friends and a rented boat from the base recreational services.

California, like Oregon, offered a wide variety of outdoor opportunities. Two weeks before the water ski weekend, we were at Yosemite indulging in another variety of skiing.

But good grooming was doomed. After five years of having Uncle Sam tell me what to wear and how to cut my hair, I headed off to law school where my libertarian spirit ran free.

I am just happy this photograph did not end up in the hands of my political opponents during my 1988 campaign. I could just imagine the caption.

Steve,I think you were very cute with your boyish good looks. Besides I have you beat in the wild hair contest. There was the enormous lion mane's shag, my Angela Davis afro and of course a brief fling with a mullet. regards,Theresa

I was not at Castle but at Lackland AFB for basic training during the Cuban missile crisis. I entirely missed the national fright fest since basic training isolates you from the outside world. I'm glad about that.